Pictured above at microphone —– Chairman of The Massy Foundation, Everton Browne who explained that the laptops would be used “to run specialised software in the various phases of the COVID-19 immunisation administration, distribution and overall logistics processes”. They will also be used to issue vaccination certificates to fully vaccinated persons.

MELISSA ROLLOCK ————- BGIS

Persons who are awaiting their electronic vaccination certificates should now have their wait time reduced, following the donation of 27 Dell Rugged laptops to the Immunisation Unit by The Massy Foundation (Barbados).

The purpose-built devices were designed at a cost of approximately BDS$155,000 and are expected to improve the co-ordination and efficiency at all vaccination centres across the island, including the mobile medical unit.

The donation took place this morning at the Masonic Centre, Salters, St. George, one of the designated vaccination sites.

Chairman of The Massy Foundation, Everton Browne, explained that the laptops would be used “to run specialised software in the various phases of the COVID-19 immunisation administration, distribution and overall logistics processes”. They will also be used to issue vaccination certificates to fully vaccinated persons.

“Beyond their use with the immunisation programme, the laptops will become part of the assets of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) for use by the BDF Field Medical Facility in the event of any future humanitarian or disaster relief deployment project either locally, or within the region.

“On behalf of the Massy companies in Barbados and the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee members of the Massy Foundation (Barbados), I pledge our support to the COVID-19 immunisation programme as well as to the wider COVID-19 national effort,” Mr Browne stated.

During a demonstration to show how the new computers would expedite the process of issuing the electronic certificates, Robin Byer, was emailed his certificate at the vaccination site, using one of the new laptops, soon after he received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Ministry’s immunisation team, said the laptops would play a significant role in the facilitation of the national immunisation programme.

“They are being presented at a time when we are seeking to improve the number of persons that are fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated.

They come at a time when we are about to see greater numbers arriving and departing at the Grantley Adams International Airport. It is a timely intervention because I have been receiving a number of calls and emails from people who have been asking why they have not yet received their vaccination certificates.

“And so, I am very pleased to be able to witness this presentation and to say ‘thank you’ to The Massy Foundation on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government of Barbados. This will now allow us to do what the people want, which is to receive their vaccination certificates so that they, too, can travel in a hassle-free COVID environment,” Lt. Col. Bostic pointed out.

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Health Minister: Use What Vaccines Are Available

With no definitive date for the arrival of the next shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, is urging Barbadians to “make use” of the vaccines that are available to them.

He made the plea this morning during a presentation of laptops to the Immunisation Unit from The Massy Foundation (Barbados) at the Masonic Centre, Salters, St. George.

Minister Bostic explained that Government was still waiting on the last shipment of vaccines (33,000 doses) through the COVAX facility as well as those promised by United States President Joe Biden to CARICOM member states.

He added that a large shipment of vaccines, which was anticipated for some time, still had not made it to these shores.

The Health Minister blamed the delays on the difficulties small developing states were facing in acquiring COVID-19 vaccines.

“I know there are some people who might prefer Pfizer for one reason or another, or Moderna. I say, make use of whatever vaccines we have available here in Barbados which have been approved because we don’t know when we are going to get those other vaccines. There have been challenges and this is a global problem; it is not affecting Barbados alone,” he stated.

When asked about the Sinopharm vaccine, the Health Minister said the Ministry would have to ramp up its public education on the vaccine in an effort to increase the uptake.

He added that just like the other vaccines that came before it, Sinopharm had been approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use.